Brain functions impairment in football: An overview

Background: Football (Soccer) is a body contact game and head region may be injured due to various causes. There is a dilemma between the researchers whether football impairs brain function or not. Aim: To review literatures related on brain function impairment and football. Method: Researchers searched scientific papers through PubMed/Medline and other data sources, then collected full papers and analyzed all the relevant article according to the nature of this study. Findings: Related literature supporting the controversies prevailing regarding the impairment in brain function due to participation in football. Some studies reported impairment in brain functions after regular soccer playing whereas other groups reported no evidence of brain function impairment after soccer playing. Conclusions: This review study concluded that brain function impairment due to football playing is inconclusive and invite further controlled scientific research.